Daily Dose Holiday Blog Giveaway: 13 to XMas

Today, I would like to introduce you to a new author who's novel is coming out next summer. Author Shannon Delany of the upcoming 13 TO LIFE (YA paranormal series from St. Martin's Griffin, June 22) created this bookmark for our Daily Dose Holiday Blog Giveaway. The bookmark features hematite (the small silvery beads), pietersite (the larger lozenge-shaped blue bead) and two sparkly beads (because if it's YA and paranormal it has to sparkle. The gemstone beads are significant; the blue pietersite is specifically tied in to part of Shannon's debut novel and specifically symbolic.

To quote from the book, Jess Gillmansen (Shannon's narrator) says:

"It's also called Tempest Stone. People say it's good for a lot of stuff, like dealing with change and transformation. Oh. And your gall bladder, I think. Or spleen." I shrugged, slipping it back into my pocket. He definitely looked interested now. Maybe he had spleen issues.

Since writing her novel, blue pietersite has become increasingly difficult (and expensive) for Shannon to get, so this book mark is one of a very limited quantity that Shannon will be gifting.

About Shannon Delany

She began writing in earnest when her grandmother fell unexpectedly ill during a family vacation. In 2008 her greatly abbreviated version of 13 to Life (written in just five weeks) won the grand prize in the first-ever cell phone novel contest in the western world through Textnovel.com .

Shannon was thrilled when St. Martin’s Press offered her a contract for a series about her 13 to Life characters. She expanded on the cell phone novel version, adding the subplots and characters she didn’t have time to during the contest. As paranormal as werewolves seem, the grief Shannon used to build Jess’s character is something she personally experienced with the loss of her own mother. Focusing on Jess and Pietr’s story of loss, love and dramatic and dangerous changes, Shannon came to better grips with her own struggle. The resulting novel has earned her blurbs from authors she respects most.

Previously a teacher and now a farmer raising heritage livestock, Shannon lives and writes in Upstate New York and enjoys traveling to talk to people about most anything.

13 to Life

Something strange is stalking the small town of Junction…

When junior Jess Gillmansen gets called out of class by Guidance, she can only presume it’s for one of two reasons. Either they’ve finally figured out who wrote the scathing anti-jock editorial in the school newspaper or they’re hosting yet another intervention for her about her mom. Although far from expecting it, she is relieved to discover Guidance just wants her to show a new student around—but he comes with issues of his own including a police escort.

The newest member of Junction High, Pietr Rusakova has secrets to hide--secrets that will bring big trouble to the small town of Junction—secrets including dramatic changes he’s undergoing that will surely end his life early.

Book Trailer

The Rules

1. You comment on the blog in order to be entered into the drawing.

2. You must include whom you want to give the gift. You do not have to name names or post their email information, just a short blurb about what they mean to you or why it’s important they receive it. You can be a real secret Santa as well.

3. Each drawing will last 24 hours unless otherwise noted. (7 a.m. to 7 a.m. CST)

4. Winners will be notified by email so make sure I have that or access to it via your profile. Upon notification, you let me know whom the gift is going to.

5. You may only win one giveaway, once you win one you cannot enter into anymore.

6. Spread the holiday cheer for everyone celebrating Hannukah, Kwanzaa, Yule, Christmas and more.

Let Shannon Delany and the Daily Dose be a part of your holiday plans. Enter to win this fantastic bookmark for someone you love! Entries close at 7 a.m. Central on Tuesday, December 15.

A lifelong writer turned author, Heather Long's first book Remembering Ashby is available for purchase at Sapphire Blue Publishing. Coming soon is the urban fantasy: Prime Evil. The Daily Dose explores books, television, writing and more -- all topics that Heather enjoys.

NOTE: all comments here will be included in the Daily Dose giveaways so you can leave your nomination below or on the Daily Dose blog. If you comment and nominate someone on the Fresh Fiction page for the Daily Dose you'll also be entered in our special Secret Elf sweepstakes, the winner will receive a $25 Amazon Gift Certificate and the person they nominate will also receive a $25 Amazon Gift Certificate on December 20th.